Elite Ohio State receiver shoots down bizarre transfer portal question, tells coach, 'don't go no where'
It didn't take long for a member of the media to make a fool of themselves in the moments after Ohio State won its first National Championship in 10 years. The Ohio State Buckeyes were a tremendous story of success, boasting storylines that included Ryan Day redeeming himself, Donovan Jackson breaking out as a star […]
It didn't take long for a member of the media to make a fool of themselves in the moments after Ohio State won its first National Championship in 10 years. The Ohio State Buckeyes were a tremendous story of success, boasting storylines that included Ryan Day redeeming himself, Donovan Jackson breaking out as a star left tackle, and Will Howard rising to the challenge.
Instead, Brad Crawford of 247 Sports forgot his place and the moment, asking a key Buckeye an inappropriate question about his place on the team moving forward. Carnell Tate, a 6-foot-3, 191-pound sophomore who totaled 733 yards and four touchdowns on 52 receptions in 2024, will be the offense's No. 2 target in 2025 in what should be a pass-happy attack.
Despite this, Crawford asked Tate whether he'd be entering the transfer portal after the game. Tate responded, "I'm just going to celebrate with my team." When pressed about his role with the team moving forward, Tate added he's only focused on winning another title.
The comments, as expected, roast Crawford for the ridiculous attempt to upstage the moment for the team, program, and Tate. Tate has patiently waited to become a starter after Emeka Egbuka returned for his senior season and Jeremiah Smith arrived. It's not as if Tate hasn't been a big part of some games, though.
Tate broke the 100-yard mark once but had eight games with at least four catches, including his breakout performance against Texas. He had seven catches for 87 yards in the Cotton Bowl and could've had more if not for an easy dropped touchdown.
Stephen Means of Cleveland.com also overheard Tate tell infamous wide receivers coach and ace recruiter Brian Hartline, "Make sure you don't go no where."
With Julian Sayin likely to take over the starting quarterback job and the Buckeyes likely losing Quinshon Judkins, the offense will look different. Change will favor incumbents like Tate, who could see a huge increase in targets next fall.
Barring a team like Miami throwing a massive bag at Tate to be Carson Beck's No. 1 receiver, the likelihood of Tate departing appears slim. My team contacts certainly don't expect it. Instead, it was a highlight for Tate to respond with poise after contributing two catches for 35 yards in the program's historic win.
